Wire-stretching tool



J. W. LESLIE.

WIRE STRETCHING TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED ocT.25. 1920.

Patented Sept. 26, 1922 Patented Sept. 26, 1922..

Para-air ewe JOHN W. LESLIE, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

WIRE-STRETOHING TOOL.

Application filed October 25, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. LEsLIn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Stretching Tools, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wire stretching tools, and more particularly to devices of the character described especially adapted for use in the reinforcing of boxes, crates, or the like, by means of wire or other forms of metal strapping.

Among the purposes of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient tool to be utilized in stretching or drawing the wire tightly about the article to be reinforced, and to effect a preliminary securing or tying of the ends of the wire after the stretching operation has been completed, the two operations being accomplished in a single continuous movement of the tool.

An illustrative tool embodying the invention .is hereinafter described in detail and shown :in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the tool, showing the manner in which the same is applied to the wire, at the commencement of the operation,

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of the lower end of the tool,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view as taken at 3, 8 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the tool in the position at the end of the stretching operation, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a completed joint immediately derivable from the result of the operation of the tool.

In general, the tool comprises a straight shank or body 1, having the form of a metal bar of suitable length and sectional dimensions, the outer end thereof being fashioned to form a handle 2 to'be grasped by the hand of the operator, and the opposite or lower end terminating in a curved or hooked portion 3, preferably integral with the han dle, and forming a curvilinear extension thereof.

Describing in detail the contour'of the curvilinear portion '3 .of the tool, the same Serial No. 419,445,

explained. The end of the hooked portion is likewise curvilinear, although its radius is somewhat decreased so thatthe extremity is spaced from the handle and approximately at right angles thereto. As this portion appears in the drawing, it may be said to follow a somewhat spiral conformationrather than a true semicircle although it is manifest that the exact shape or design of this particular part of the tool may be varied.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the lower or hooked portion 3 of the'tool is slightly offset from the plane of the shank 1. In other words a spiral contour is given to the same, at right angles to the plane of the drawing, in addition to the spiral contour in the plane of the tool, as hereinbefore described. The result is tooffset the extremity or tip 3* of the curved portion 3 from the handle, a short distance, in order that the latter may clear the wire in the revolving tool during the stretching operation, as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out.

In cross section the curved portion 3 may be rounded on its inner peripheral edge, and its outer peripheral edge flattened somewhat, as clearly indicated in Fig. 8. Formed in the outer peripheral surface of the portion 3 is a groove 6 extending from or beyond the point 5 at the beginning of the curved portion, andextending to the end 3 thereof, this groove being located midway between the edges of said face, and of sufficient depth and width to receive-the various sizes of wire to be stretched. At its upper end the groove is'cut away. on one side to permit easy applicationand disengagement 0f the wire.

Located at the lower end of the shank por tion 1 of the tool, and near the point 5 where the curved or hooked portion 3 has its origin, is a-wire gripping device comprising a fixed jaw 7 formed integral with and extending longitudinally of the handle in alinement with the groove 6. Upon an integral plate 8 projecting outwardly at one side of the fixed jaw 7 is mounted a movable jaw member 9 comprising an eccentrically shaped disc pivoted so that in one position of rotation the periphery of the disc will be spaced from the fixed jaw to permit the introduction of the wire therebetween, and in another position to be advanced toward the fixed jaw member, there by firmly gripping or clutching the wire inserted between said co-acting jaw members. If desired, the faces of the jaws may be roughened or serrated to afford a more positive gripping action. The movable or rotative disc is manually operated by parts as follows:

Mounted adjacent the handle of the tool is an l -shaped lever 10, one of its arms 11 extending parallel to and spaced a short distance from said handle of the tool, said arm being shaped in the form of a handle so that it may be grasped and pressed toward the handle proper 2 of the tool, by the operator. The other arm 12 extends transversely of the tool handle, and a pivot pin 13 connects the lever 10 to said handle. Joining the end of the lever arm 12 with the rotative disc 9 is a rod 14 so arranged that pressure exerted upon the lever handle ll in a direction toward the tool handle proper rotates the disc in a direction to effect the releasing of the wire inserted between the jaws 7 and 9. A coil spring 15 is preferably placed between the tool and lever handles 2 and 11 respectively, and acts in the usual manner to force the same apart when the pressure is released by the operator, the spring serving, therefore, to effect the gripping of the wire between the jaws.

In describing the operation of the tool, it may be assumed that a wire tie 16 having an eye or loop 17 therein (Figs. 1 and ll) has been passed around a box or other container. T he curved end of the tool is passed through the eye 17 the free end of the wire is also passed through the eye and engaged in the groove 6, thence passing through the gripping jaws 7 and 9.

The tool having been applied as described, itis laid so that the curved portion is substantially flat on the box, bale or other package being operated upon; the stretching of the wire is accomplished by turning or swinging the tool bodily in a direction to roll the wire upon the curved portion 3, that is to say, in a direction such that the curved portion 3 tends to roll along the wire (Fig. 1), the latter falling into and being engaged in the groove as the rolling movement progresses. As a preferable mode of operation, the movement of the tool is substantially in a plane parallel to the surface of the box, that is to say, if the sheet of the drawing were assumed to be the surface of the box to be bound, the stretching operation would be accomplished by revolving the tool l) in a counter-clockwise direction, substantially in the plane of the sheet, although as a practical matter the too]. would be slightly inclined to the box sur face in order to permit the hand of the op erator to clear the box surface in manipulating the tool. lit is to be observed that operating the tool in the manner described, the force applied to the tool is entirely resisted by the wire and not by the surface of the box material, hence the liability of injury to the box and contents is avoided. A further reason for operating the tool in this manner will be hereinafter alluded to in describing the action of the tool in greater detail.

As the tool is moved or revolved about the curved portion 3 thereof, it is manifest that a shortening of the binder, hence a tightening or stretching of the wire is ac complished because the eye 17 slides along the curved portion 5 toward its end. Thus when the tool has been revolved in a counter-clockwise direction from the position of F l to the position of Fig. 2, or approximately through three-fourths of a complete revolution, the loop 1'? will have travelled along the curved portion of the tool,

(and the wire engaged therewith) a dis tance equal to the peripheral length of the curved portion 5. The eye 17 finally slips off the 3 and engages the now tightened wire, as clearly shown in 4. A further revolving of the tool to say its original position, will result in the doubling back of the wire upon itself, thus providing a bend which is capable of providing a temporary junction with the looped end, and without yielding any of the tension until the tool is removed and a permanent fastening is made by any suitable method, as by cutting off the wire and tucking its end under the tight binder, in the manner shown in Fig. 5.

The offset or helical contour previously referred to is carried out in the conforma tion of the curved portion 3 of the tool, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, so that while the curved port-ion 5 turns flat on the box. thus insuring the proper tracking of the wire within the groove 6; nevertheless the handle is inclined to the surface and may thus be conveniently operated.

Upon a closer observation of the principle of operation of the tool it will be seen that the fulcrum of the turning movement is the eye 17. The fulcrum shifts in that moves along the curved portion of the tool as the same is rotated. using the eye as a fulcrum, price the other end of the wire through the eye by a powerful leverage, for a distance determined by Thus the tool,

.the length of the curved portion 5. Thus eye at the other end; in other words, both the pull and the reaction are imposed on the wire ends and there is no prying against the box. w

It remains to be stated that the tension being applied to the wire is at all times under the control of the operator who can thus prevent the breaking of the wire or the crushing of the box by relieving the tension. Thus if the tension becomes so great as to threaten the breaking of the wire, the grip on the wire between the jaws 7 and 9 may be relaxed, thus permitting the wire to slip, and thereby relieving the tension thereon. This feature I regard as of great im portance.

A tool constructed and operated in the manner herein described provides, by reason of its conformation, a simple yet practical tool for sealing and fastening boxes by hand, not only applying the required tension in the wire, but also forming a temporary junction between the ends of the wire, both operations being accomplished in a single operation or manipulation of the tool.

The features embodyingthe invention are hereinafter more. specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A binder stretching tool comprising a shank provided with a curvilinear end portion having a binder receiving groove extending along the outer face thereof.

2. A binder stretching tool comprising a shank terminating at one end in a curvilinear portion provided with a groove extending around its outer face and adapted to engage one portion of a binder of wire whereby a portion of said wire may be looped around said curvilinear portion, and an eye in the wire engaged on said curvilinear portion.

3. In a stretching tool for tensional binders, and in combination, a curved member adapted to be threaded through a binder eye, means whereby a length of said binder may be engaged by and moved with said curved member.

4. In a stretching tool for tensional binders a curved member adapted to be slidably engaged with a binder end, and means whereby another portion of said binder may be engaged by and moved with the curved member.

5. In a stretching tool for tensional binders, and in combination, a curved member adaped to be threaded through a binder eye, means whereby a length of said binder may be engaged by and moved with said curved member, and means for regulating the tension developed by said movement.

6. In a stretchingtool fortensional binders, a curved member adapted to be slidably engaged with a binder end, means whereby another portion of said binder may be en gaged by and moved with the curved memher, and means for regulating thetension developed by said movement.

7. In a stretching tool for tensional binders, and in combination, means adapted simultaneously to engage two binder ends, said means operating when moved to pry one binder end through a loop in the other, means for moving said first named means, and means for regulating the tension on the band produced by said movement.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a shank, a curvilinear end having a wire receiving channel in its periphery, said cur- "vilinear end forming a helix of diminishing radius toward the end.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a shank, a curvilinear end having a wire receiving channel in its periphery, the end of said curvilinear portion being offset in a direction parallel to the axis of said curve.

10. In apparatus of the class described, a shank, a curvilinear end having a wire re ceiving channel in its periphery, and friction means for regulaing the tension onthe wire.

11. In apparatus of the class described, a shank, a curvilinear end having a wire receiving channel in its periphery, and friction means for regulating the tension on the wire, said friction means being located on the shank. I

12. A lever acting stretching tool comprising a shank, a curved end, said end being adapted to be threaded through an eye in a binder wire, and when turned to operate thereon as on a moving fulcrum, meanwhile drawing the other wire end relatively there through. i

13. A lever acting stretching tool adapted to pry a length of a binder longitudinally through an eye thereof and thereafter to release said length and cause the same to be bent Sharply about said eye on one motion of the tool, said tool comprising a portion adapted to be threaded through said eye, an operating lever associated therewith, and means for regulating the tension on the wire during the operation of the tool.

14. In a tool for stretching a tensional binder, a member adapted to protrude through an eye in the end of the binder, a dog on said tool for gripping the free end of the binder, and means for moving said memher through said eye to draw said free end of said binder therethrough.

15. In a tool for stretching a tensional binder, a member adapted to protrude through an eye in the end of the binder, a dog on said tool for gripping the free end of said binder, means formoving said member m. i ,eeoeee through said eye, to draw said'free end of thereof, and looping said free end around said binder therethrough, and means for one side of said tie.

loosening said dog; to regulate the tension In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 10 on said binder. my name this 23rd day of September, A. 1)., 16. A tool for securing wire ties to paok- 1920.

ages, comprising means for simultaneously 7 v I pulling the free end of a tie through the eye JQHN W. LESLIE. 

